Merkaz Community High School
for Judaic Studies

The place to be on Tuesday evenings and Sundays for teens throughout our community

Merkaz serves a diverse population and provides a pluralistic and supportive environment for Jewish learning. Each week, students from neighboring towns, synagogues, and high schools join together as one community to learn, socialize, explore and strengthen their ties to Judaism.

Merkaz students (grades 9-12) are provided a unique opportunity to take part in social action, text study, Holocaust education, music and courses on Israel, teen issues, ethical dilemmas, leadership, conversational Hebrew, tolerance and diversity.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Merkaz offers a variety of programs that are community-
based where the community often becomes “the classroom”.

Merkaz Adopt-A-Survivor Program:Students are paired with a community Holocaust survivor to learn their story and pledge to preserve their legacy.

Youth Philanthropy Program: Students are directly involved with the challenges and rewards of fund-raising and allocating funds to worthy organizations.

Merkaz Mitzvah Corps:Students learn first-hand the meaning of tikkun olam as they visit different community sites to help make a difference.

HaZamir Fairfield County/International Jewish Choir:
Students sing locally and with other HaZamir chapters throughout the United States, Israel, and Spain. Each spring the performers look forward to a shabbaton and Gala Festival.

To Build A Home/Habitat for Humanity: Teens learn about the organization and families who have been the recipients of Habitat Homes. The class also builds on the Habitat site.

Interfaith/Interaction – Building Bridges Across the Divide:Opportunities for students to meet and discuss issues and perspectives between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in our larger community.

PROGRAMS IN ISRAEL

March of the Living: Students have the opportunity to participate in this life-changing program, which takes students on an educational trip to Poland and Israel. At Merkaz and throughout the program, students learn about the Holocaust in a powerful and personal way.

Mifgash/The Israeli-American Teen Experience: Students learn about Israel followed by a visit where they enjoy home-hospitality with their Israeli peers. This is a chance to experience the culture, teen life in Israel, while building lasting friendships.

THE MERKAZ COMMITTEE is a very active, involved, and “hands-on” group, and they play an integral role in our program. We truly welcome and appreciate the support and participation of all our families, either as members of the Committee or as volunteers on Tuesday evenings.

To support our Federation’s efforts in Jewish Education - like the MERKAZ Community High School for Judaic Studies - and to make a gift to the UJA-Federation Annual Campaign, please contact Linda Epstein at (203) 372-6567, ext. 175, or linda@jccs.org.